Birds Of A Feather

[Yoda]

While at the Honda Classic in Palm Beach Gardens last Wednesday with Brian Gay, I had the privilege of spending quite a bit of time with Andy Plummer, one of the emerging teaching talents of the game and a long-time member of this site. He and his partner, Mike Bennett, are making their mark on the PGA TOUR, just as their students are making their marks in the record books.

One of the many things we agree on is that even the greatest talents are helped by a coaching team that supports their mission and is readily accessible.

Do the coaches swing the golf club?

Of course not.

Do they matter? Some say "yes." Others say "no."

My take?

If the answer is 'no' all 'round -- if coaches are just 'friction' in the system -- then there is a lot of money and time being spent on the PGA TOUR for nothing.

[6bmike]

Got to love a bag with Dowels.

[Yoda]

Got to love a bag with Dowels.

You bet, Mike! Here's a close-up of the bag on the practice tee at the Honda. Also, a photo of one of their many applications.

BTW, if Brian's caddy looks familiar, it's because he's Kip Henley of The Golf Channel's Big Break fame. Kip's been on the bag about six months now.

[alex_chung]

Very kewl photos Lynn. I didn't realise that Kip Henley was still caddying out on Tour.
Alex

[Yoda]

Here are a few more photos from the practice tee of the Honda Classic.

#1 Brian Gay's classic Address Position -- Left Wrist Level, Right Forearm On Plane

#2 Half way back and On Plane

#3 Right Forearm Takeaway

#4 Start Down

#5 Brian and another Lynn Blake student, Nationwide Tour player Jay Williamson. Jay shot 67 in the 4-spotter to qualify for the Honda.

#6 Jay through Impact

[Yoda]

More Honda photos:

#1 With Jeff Sluman -- Tball88, I did this for you! I told Jeff I had a student who was a dead ringer for him, and I wanted pop this up on the site. His reply? "Good lookin' s.o.b., isn't he!"

#2 Jim Furyk -- at Address

#3 Scott Verplank -- at the Finish

#4 David Toms -- at the Top

[golfer24]

Great Photos. When you see Brian Gay and David Toms at the top are these two positions what the big debate with BM is about. BG more tripod pivot looking as opposed to DT with the obvious lean away with his spine.

[Yoda]

#1 Caddy Central -- this is where the caddies chow down...and a lot of their bosses, too.

#2 Gateway to some of the best food on TOUR.

#3 The owner of Caddy Central -- doing what owners do!

#4 Charley just got through telling a great story, but it can't be printed in these pages!

#5 Professional Caddie Dave Patterson. I first met Dave in Grand Blanc, Michigan, at the 2005 Buick Open. I spent three days there with Brian Watts, 1998 British Open runner-up and 13-time Japanese Tour winner, and Dave was on the bag. He now carries full-time for the Swede Mathias Gronberg.

#6 Brian talking shop with Ralph Dunhill, a clothing entrepreur whose shirt line he represents.

#7 Brian doing an interview for the folks at Inside the Pro Tour.

#8 The Mizuno Equipment Trailer. There is the stuff we play...and the stuff they play.

[Yoda]

Great Photos. When you see Brian Gay and David Toms at the top are these two positions what the big debate with BM is about. BG more tripod pivot looking as opposed to DT with the obvious lean away with his spine.

Don't want this thread to go that way, golfer24. Thanks for understanding.

Suffice it to say that, from my perspective, there is no 'debate.' The important thing is for the Pivot to have a Center -- any Center you want -- but please have one. Check the threads: That has been my position from the very beginning. Homer Kelley gives us two options: The Head (his preference) and the "point between the shoulders." I choose to follow his lead and teach the Head, but I don't mandate it (nor did he). Use the one you want. Or neither. It's a free country!

As for DT, I think his pivot is just fine.

[Yoda]

#1 There is what the public sees...

#2 And then there is the Inner Sanctum...the locker room during a PGA TOUR event. Here is the bulletin board...must reading during tournament week. Use that 'magnify view' guys, and get down on the latest!

#3 The alternative to Club Storage.

#4 It's 5 p.m. Do you know where your bag is?